OUTDOORS

Penuel wins Junior Bassmasters Classic

Published: Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

Trenton Penuel won the Marion County Junior Bassmasters Classic for the second straight year over the weekend.

The two-day tournament at Rodman Reservoir crowned champions across three age groups.

Penuel sat in third place behind Ryan Crosby and Beau Clymer after the first day in the 15-17 age division. A big second day, including the biggest bass of the tournament, put Penuel in front for good. He weighed in 21.23 pounds over the two days. Clymer finished second at 17.72 pounds and Crosby finished third at 12.86 pounds. Penuel's big bass was 6.18 pounds.

Cory Norton was off the board after the first day in fourth place in the 11-14 age group. But like Penuel, a big second day shot Norton ahead and into first place with a two-day total of 9.40 pounds. That total was only ounces heavier than second-place finisher Brett Pearson's final tally of 9.01 pounds. Third place went to Cooper Weideman (6.49 pounds). Jacob Dorland's 3-pounder was the big bass for the 11-14 division.

The 6-10 age group had another come-from-behind angler win the event. Claude Loftin caught only one small fish after day one. But a 12.53-pound, five-fish bag on the second day gave him 13.11 pounds for the tournament. Loftin's total was two-and-a-half pounds heavier than second-place finisher Logan Kapiton (10.59 pounds). Third place went to Zachary Cook (5.87 pounds). Cook also caught the big bass for the age group at 3.62 pounds.

Meanwhile, a group from the adult club — Marion County Bassmasters — will make the trek down to Lake Okeechobee this weekend for the Florida B.A.S.S. Nation State Championships.

Four boaters from the club — Daniel Tillis, Ed Vincent, Stoney Jackson and Justin Hazen — will take part. And three non-boaters — Russell Tillis, Andrew White and Chuck Ervin — will participate.

For more information on the junior and adult clubs, visit www.marioncountybassmasters.com or call club president Daniel Tillis at 572-3148.

FISH TAILS: The Fish Tails Team Tournament Trail held its first event of the season last weekend on the Harris Chain in Lake County.

Twenty-one boats took part in Saturday's event put on by Millers Boating Center. There were 72 fish weighed in, and all 72 were then released. Eleven boats caught their five-fish limits.

Greg Swearinger and Brian Nobles won the event with a 15.01-pound bag. Bobby and Judith Johnson finished second (14.00), while Scott and Greg Byrd placed third (13.61). Swearinger and Brian Nobles weighed in the biggest bass of the tournament (5.84).

<p>Trenton Penuel won the Marion County Junior Bassmasters Classic for the second straight year over the weekend.</p><p>The two-day tournament at Rodman Reservoir crowned champions across three age groups.</p><p>Penuel sat in third place behind Ryan Crosby and Beau Clymer after the first day in the 15-17 age division. A big second day, including the biggest bass of the tournament, put Penuel in front for good. He weighed in 21.23 pounds over the two days. Clymer finished second at 17.72 pounds and Crosby finished third at 12.86 pounds. Penuel's big bass was 6.18 pounds.</p><p>Cory Norton was off the board after the first day in fourth place in the 11-14 age group. But like Penuel, a big second day shot Norton ahead and into first place with a two-day total of 9.40 pounds. That total was only ounces heavier than second-place finisher Brett Pearson's final tally of 9.01 pounds. Third place went to Cooper Weideman (6.49 pounds). Jacob Dorland's 3-pounder was the big bass for the 11-14 division.</p><p>The 6-10 age group had another come-from-behind angler win the event. Claude Loftin caught only one small fish after day one. But a 12.53-pound, five-fish bag on the second day gave him 13.11 pounds for the tournament. Loftin's total was two-and-a-half pounds heavier than second-place finisher Logan Kapiton (10.59 pounds). Third place went to Zachary Cook (5.87 pounds). Cook also caught the big bass for the age group at 3.62 pounds.</p><p>Meanwhile, a group from the adult club — Marion County Bassmasters — will make the trek down to Lake Okeechobee this weekend for the Florida B.A.S.S. Nation State Championships.</p><p>Four boaters from the club — Daniel Tillis, Ed Vincent, Stoney Jackson and Justin Hazen — will take part. And three non-boaters — Russell Tillis, Andrew White and Chuck Ervin — will participate.</p><p>For more information on the junior and adult clubs, visit www.marioncountybassmasters.com or call club president Daniel Tillis at 572-3148.</p><p><b>FISH TAILS:</b> The Fish Tails Team Tournament Trail held its first event of the season last weekend on the Harris Chain in Lake County.</p><p>Twenty-one boats took part in Saturday's event put on by Millers Boating Center. There were 72 fish weighed in, and all 72 were then released. Eleven boats caught their five-fish limits.</p><p>Greg Swearinger and Brian Nobles won the event with a 15.01-pound bag. Bobby and Judith Johnson finished second (14.00), while Scott and Greg Byrd placed third (13.61). Swearinger and Brian Nobles weighed in the biggest bass of the tournament (5.84).</p><p>Boats casting crankbaits and speed worms had better luck, tournament director Don Storey said.</p><p>The second event is scheduled for Nov. 16 on Lake Rousseau, just west of Dunnellon. Call Millers Boating Center at 622-7757 for more information.</p><p>------</p><p><i>Contact Ted Beck at ted.beck@ocala.com to contribute story ideas for this report.</i></p>